Welcome to Our Nashville Boudoir Blog
Welcome to Holly Douglas & Co, where timeless elegance meets the art of empowerment. We are not just a boudoir studio; we are a sanctuary of self-expression and self-love, dedicated to helping you discover and embrace your inner beauty.
At HDCO in Nashville, Tennessee, we believe that every individual possesses a unique, captivating essence that deserves to be celebrated. Our mission is to create an empowering and transformative experience through the art of boudoir photography. We understand that the journey towards self-confidence and self-acceptance can be profound, and we are here to guide you through it.
What NOT to Wear for a Boudoir Photoshoot
Holly Douglas & Co give some tips on what NOT to wear for a boudoir photoshoot and boudoir outfit ideas that will help you feel hot AF!
What NOT to Wear for a Boudoir Photoshoot
Riddle me this - how are you supposed to exude sultry, seductive sex kitten vibes in your boudoir photos if you feel frumpy dumpy or like a busted can of biscuits in your outfit??? You can’t! And that’s exactly why choosing the right wardrobe is one of the most important aspects of your boudoir session. The outfits you select will play a crucial role in how you feel during the boudoir shoot and how your photos turn out.
The right clothing can enhance your…ahem…assets, boost your confidence, and help you express yourself authentically. However, there are some common wardrobe pitfalls that can detract from your experience. So, with that in mind, let’s dive into what NOT to wear for a boudoir photoshoot and explore some boudoir outfit ideas that will help you feel hot AF!
The Importance of Choosing the Right Outfits for Boudoir
As Nashville boudoir photographers for over ten years, we’ve seen firsthand how the right outfit can transform a session. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling incredible! When you choose the right pieces, your confidence shines through your boudoir photos, and that confidence is what truly makes a boudoir session unforgettable.
Look Your Best
Your boudoir session is all about you. It’s your time to step into the spotlight and embrace your beauty. The right outfit can help you look and feel your absolute best. Whether it’s your first boudoir experience or you’ve done this before, it’s essential to choose outfits that flatter your figure and make you feel like a star.
When considering what to wear for boudoir, think about what outfits make you feel the most confident. Maybe it’s a lace bodysuit that hugs your curves perfectly, or perhaps it’s a silky robe that drapes elegantly over your shoulders. The key is to choose something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
Feel Confident
Confidence is the secret ingredient to stunning boudoir photos. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows in every shot. You’re more relaxed, more expressive, and more connected to your body. That’s why choosing the right boudoir outfit is so important.
At Holly Douglas & Co, our boudoir sessions are specifically designed to bring out your confidence. We’re here to guide you through the process and help you choose outfits that will make you feel like ain’t no one gonna tell you shit!
Express Your Authentic Self
Boudoir photography is deeply personal. It’s an opportunity to express who you are in a way that’s authentic and true to yourself. When deciding what to wear for a boudoir shoot, think about what makes you feel like you. Are you someone who loves bold, daring pieces, soft and romantic lingerie, or do you prefer something more casual, like a tank top and panties? Your outfit should reflect your personality and help you feel at ease during your session.
Whether you’re drawn to classic lingerie, playful accessories, or something more unconventional, your Nashville boudoir photographer will work with you to create a look that captures your unique style. The most important thing is that your personality comes through in every photo.
What Not to Wear for a Boudoir Session
While there are countless boudoir outfit ideas that can make you look and feel incredible, there are also some things you should avoid. Knowing what NOT to wear for a boudoir photoshoot is just as important as knowing what to wear. The wrong outfit can distract from your photos and make you feel less confident. Here are a few key things to avoid:
Ill-Fitting Wardrobe – Uncomfortably Tight or Too Loose
Fit is everything when it comes to lingerie and boudoir outfits. Clothing that is too tight can create unflattering bulges, leave marks on your skin, or make you feel self-conscious. On the other hand, clothing that is too loose can look shapeless and fail to highlight your beautiful curves.
At Holly Douglas & Co, we want you to feel confident in every outfit, so it’s essential to choose pieces that fit you perfectly. For plus-size boudoir sessions, we encourage you to avoid choosing pieces designed to hide your body, and instead select outfits that accentuate your figure in a way that feels comfortable and flattering. (Show off those curves, cutie!) Our team is always here to help you find the perfect fit, whether that means offering advice on sizing or helping you choose the right pieces from our size-inclusive Client Closet.
Distracting Items – Anything with Logos, Busy Patterns, or Neon Colors
When it comes to boudoir photography, simplicity often makes the strongest statement. Busy patterns, large logos, and neon colors can be distracting and take the focus away from you. Our goal is to capture your natural beauty and the emotions you’re expressing during your session, and these elements can detract from that.
Instead, opt for solid colors, lace, or subtle patterns that complement your skin tone and bring out the best in you. Earthy tones, jewel tones, and classic black are always great choices for boudoir outfits. These colors are timeless and allow the focus to remain on you rather than on your clothing.
Inappropriate for a Boudoir Session – Clothing That’s Too Formal or Too Casual
Boudoir photography is about intimacy, sensuality, and celebrating your body, so it’s important to choose outfits that align with this theme. Formalwear, business attire, and track suits, while great in other contexts, are generally not suitable for boudoir sessions. These items can feel too rigid, structured, or casual, which can be at odds with the intimate, sultry atmosphere we aim to create at Holly Douglas & Co.
Instead, think about boudoir outfit ideas that enhance the sensual nature of the shoot. This could be a delicate lace bralette and panty set, a flowing silk robe, or even a cozy knit sweater with a pair of panties. The key is to choose pieces that make you feel sexy and comfortable.
Tips for Choosing the Right Boudoir Outfits
Now that we’ve covered what not to wear, let’s focus on how to choose the right boudoir outfits. At Holly Douglas & Co, we’re here to help you every step of the way, from planning your session to choosing the perfect wardrobe. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Choose Lingerie Styles That Accentuate Your Assets and Minimize Areas That Make You Feel Self-Conscious
When selecting boudoir outfits, think about what you love most about your body. If you adore your legs, consider a high-cut bodysuit or a garter belt that draws attention to them. If you’re proud of your curves (and you should be!), high-waisted panties can create a beautiful silhouette. The goal is to highlight your favorite features and choose pieces that make you feel amazing.
We understand that everyone has areas they might feel more self-conscious about. That’s okay! The beauty of boudoir photography is that it’s all about you. If there are areas you’d rather not emphasize, we can work with you to choose outfits that minimize those areas while still making you feel confident and sexy.
Choose Boudoir Outfits That Are Comfortable and Easy to Move In
Comfort is key during a boudoir session. You want to be able to move freely and feel at ease in your outfits. Avoid anything too restrictive or complicated to put on and take off. Instead, choose pieces that allow for a range of poses and movements. This will help you feel more relaxed during the shoot, resulting in more natural and beautiful photos.
We encourage you to bring a variety of boudoir outfit options to your session. This way, you can try different looks and see what feels best in the moment. We’re also here to provide guidance on what works well on camera.
Avoid Choosing Outfits Altogether by Letting Us Style You from Our Client Closet!
We know that choosing what to wear for a boudoir shoot can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. That’s why we offer a size-inclusive Client Closet filled with beautiful lingerie and outfits that you can use for your session. Our Client Closet has a large selection of beautiful pieces in various styles, colors, and sizes ranging from XS to 6X, so you’re sure to find something that makes you feel amazing.
Letting us style you from our Client Closet takes the stress out of choosing outfits and ensures that you have access to high-quality lingerie pieces that photograph beautifully. Plus, it allows you to experiment with different looks you might not have considered before.
Where to Shop for Boudoir Outfits
If you prefer to bring your own outfits to your boudoir session, we've got you covered with a couple of shopping recommendations. Whether you're looking for high-end lingerie or more affordable options, here are some great places to start:
Chestnut & Honey’s Online Fine Lingerie Boutique
For luxurious, high-quality lingerie that makes you feel like a million bucks, Chestnut & Honey is a fantastic choice. Why? Because this size-inclusive, fine lingerie store happens to be owned by Holly Douglas herself! As Nashville’s top boudoir photographer, Holly has chosen a beautiful collection of lingerie pieces for her online boutique that are all perfect for boudoir photography. Chestnut & Honey offers a variety of styles, from delicate lace bralettes to sultry bodysuits, in sizes that range from petite to plus size, so you're sure to find something that suits your taste.
Holly Douglas & Co’s Amazon Store
If you're looking for budget-friendly lingerie options, the Holly Douglas & Co. Amazon store has a curated selection of affordable pieces that are perfect for boudoir photography. No matter what vibe you’re aiming for, our Amazon store offers a variety of styles and sizes to choose from. You can find everything from classic lace sets to playful, trendy pieces, all at prices that won't break the bank.
Conclusion
Choosing the right outfits for your boudoir session at Holly Douglas & Co is essential to ensuring you feel confident, beautiful, and true to yourself. Avoiding common pitfalls, like ill-fitting clothing, distracting patterns, and inappropriate attire, will allow you to exude confidence in your boudoir photos. Remember, the goal is to select pieces that enhance your best features and reflect your personality. Whether you opt for something from our size-inclusive Client Closet or bring your own wardrobe, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Your Nashville boudoir experience should be empowering and unforgettable, and the right boudoir outfits will help make that happen.
3 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Boudoir Outfits
Choosing the perfect outfits for your boudoir photoshoot doesn't need to be stressful or overwhelming. Just follow our 3 simple tips!
3 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Boudoir Outfits
Preparing for your upcoming boudoir photoshoot with Holly Douglas & Co. should be just as fun as the photoshoot itself! However, if you don't typically wear lingerie, then choosing the perfect boudoir outfits might feel a bit overwhelming. There's no need to stress, though! We are happy to share with you 3 tips for choosing the perfect boudoir outfits for your upcoming photoshoot!
Tip #1: Try on a variety of lingerie BEFORE your boudoir session.
Trying on any type of clothing can be a hassle and a pain. We totally get that. It's also natural to assume that you know what styles will look good on you. So, trying things on may not always feel necessary. However, we strongly encourage all of our clients to try on several different styles of lingerie before choosing their boudoir outfits.
Why You Should Try On a Variety of Lingerie Before Your Boudoir Session
Different lingerie styles fit every body differently. Teddies, for example, are a very popular wardrobe option. However, just because you love the way teddies look on women in our boudoir galleries, that doesn't mean you'll love the way they fit you. For instance, if you have a long torso, your teddy could end up feeling like vaginal dental floss. If you have a short torso, the crotch of that bodysuit might hang down to your knees! Either scenario would be a terrible thing to discover on the day of your boudoir session. That is why it's SO important to try on every boudoir outfit you plan to bring to your photoshoot beforehand.
It's easier to stay open-minded about different styles of lingerie when you can see their fit on your body. As stated before, it's natural to assume that you already know what will or will not look good on you. However, if you keep an open mind and actually try on pieces that you normally wouldn't, you may surprise yourself! What if that long, lace gown that looks "too conservative" on the hanger actually hugs your body in ALL the right places? ;) If you never try it on, you could miss out on choosing the perfect boudoir outfit!
Where Can You Try On a Variety of Lingerie Before Your Boudoir Session?
We're happy to announce that it is now extremely convenient for women in the Nashville area to try on different styles of lingerie. Holly Douglas & Co. has recently opened Chestnut & Honey, a size-inclusive, fine lingerie boutique located in the very same building as Studio 110! Our store carries beautiful, high-end lingerie in sizes ranging from XXS - 7XL. Our selection includes sought-after designer brands, like Thistle and Spire, Kilo Brava, and Tallulah Love! In addition, our amazing staff at Chestnut & Honey are happy to help you choose the perfect boudoir outfits for YOUR body.
(Click the video to see a quick tour of Chestnut & Honey from our TikTok page.)
Tip #2: Only choose boudoir outfits that make you feel GOOD about yourself.
You'd be surprised how often we hear, "I don't like the way this outfit looks on me, but I brought it anyway." Women sometimes make the mistake of choosing outfits they think they're supposed to like. Or, they bring in lingerie that they used to like several years ago, when they first bought it. However, despite not liking the way it looks on them now, they think the outfit might somehow photograph better. After all, that's what Photoshop is for, right? ("No" is the answer to that question, by the way.)
Well, what many women do not realize is that the way you feel about yourself absolutely translates in your boudoir photos. If you walk onto set wearing something that makes you feel unattractive, you're not going to exude sensuality in your boudoir photos. On the other hand, if you strut out of the dressing room wearing something that makes you feel incredible, then you're going to pose with confidence and look sexy AF!
Tip #3: A second opinion about your boudoir outfits can be very helpful.
Whether it's from a trusted friend, family member, or a lingerie store employee, having a second opinion can give you a whole new perspective on your wardrobe choices. You might try on a piece of lingerie and think, "Oh, this is too low-cut." But then your best friend sees you in it and exclaims, "OMG! Your boobs look AMAZING in that!" Sometimes, it takes another point of view to help nudge you outside of your comfort zone.
If you do not feel comfortable asking anyone else for a second opinion prior to your boudoir session, though, never fear! You can count on your professional boudoir photographer to give you her opinion on the day of your photoshoot. The Holly Douglas & Co. photography team are all experts at knowing how to make you look your very best in your boudoir photos. Therefore, if we feel that a certain outfit isn't the most flattering for you, we will help you find a better option.
The Bottom Line (no pun intended)
Choosing the perfect boudoir outfits for your photoshoot doesn't need to be stressful or overwhelming. In fact, it can be a really fun part of your overall boudoir experience! Just remember our 3 tips above, which can be translated into the following guidelines:
Keep an open mind and try on a variety of lingerie styles BEFORE your photoshoot.
If a certain outfit doesn't make you feel good about yourself, do not bring it to the studio.
Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion when choosing your perfect boudoir outfits.
It really is as easy as that! We hope you enjoy preparing for your boudoir session with Holly Douglas & Co., and we can't wait to see you in the studio!